H171

Am Grabe

Fanny Hensel wrote two versions of this song: one for voice and piano, and this version for a cappella SATB choir. This work was composed in 1826 and is based on text by the poet Voss, who had recently died when Fanny composed the song. Hensel’s composition teacher Carl Friedrich Zelter wrote to his friend Goethe about Fanny’s composition, admitting to Goethe that his student’s setting of Voss’ poem was better than his own. Zelter also sent a copy of Fanny’s song to Voss’ widow.

download PDF (SATB version)

HenselPushers edition notes:

• There are two versions of this piece: one for voice and piano, and one for SATB choir.

• The SATB version of this work appears in MA Ms. 31 and MA Ms. 128. This edition is based primarily on the version in MA Ms. 31.

Text:

Ruhe sanft bestattet, 
du von Schmerz ermattet,
allen Kummer tilgt das Grab.
Wir, die letzten Blicke senkend,
steh'n am Rand, und dein gedenkend
streu'n wir Blumen dir hinab.

Seelenhüll', o werde,
was du warest, Erde,
von des Rasens Blumen schön.
In verklärtem Schimmer hebet
staunend sich der Geist, und schwebet
Engelflug zu Gottes Höhn.

Ruhe, Staub bei Staube!
Unsers Freundes Glaube
soll auch uns das Herz erhöh'n.
Weinend scheiden wir von hinnen,
doch wir kommen oft, und sinnen,
ach! Ein frohes Wiederseh'n.